XT Wifi Phone Recommendations?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › XT Wifi Phone Recommendations?

JMoore

13 posts

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#64354 13-Jul-2010 23:57

I am looking to finally upgrade my CDMA phone and would like to grab a (new or used) phone on the new XT network. One of my main requirements will be Wifi capability and other than that I am open to suggestions. I like the look of the iPhone but realise there is likely something out there with similar function in a lower price bracket. I am open to buying from overseas, eBay etc but understand a lot of these phones come with overseas provider firmware which can be tricky to change over.

Any recommendations or advice on Wifi capable phones (possibly touch screen) for use on the XT network would be greatly appreciated - I'm sure there are a lot more available than just what is on the Telecom site! Thanks in advance.

munchkin

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#351192 14-Jul-2010 01:20

I'd recommend having a look at an Android device. The Motorola Milestone is coming to Telecom soon (Around $999), and they already stock the LG GW620 ($699).

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JMoore

13 posts

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#351357 14-Jul-2010 12:41

Thanks for your reply munchkin. I've realised another function I would really like would be the ability to wireless synchronise with Google Calendar which I imagine is somewhat standard in the more advanced phones. Thanks for the recommendations I have heard good things about the Android platform so I'll keep an eye out.
Any other advice would be great!

munchkin

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#351359 14-Jul-2010 12:42

No problem!

One more thing, Android phones can sync with Google Calendar out of the box.

allan

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#351386 14-Jul-2010 13:53

I'm using an HTC Touch 2 on XT, which has good solid wi-fi. I did try syncing with Gmail, Google Calendar, etc when I first got it and it worked fine. However, my ongoing syncing is with an Exchange server and Hotmail.

You do need to be happy to be in the Windows Mobile World of course, but the main bits are pretty well hidden behind the HTC TouchFlo interface

shadou

30 posts

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#351390 14-Jul-2010 13:59

Get an android phone - a HTC Desire, Nexus One or similar. I've been using my N1 on XT and it has been very great :)

eXDee

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#351673 15-Jul-2010 02:10

As above - im running a HTC Desire (A8183 for XT) and it goes awesome. Would recommend.

JMoore

13 posts

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#351980 15-Jul-2010 16:40

Thanks again for all the recommendations. While I am very keen on Android, I'm having a brief look down the iPhone route. Quick question: If I were to buy a locked AT&T iPhone from eBay how easy would it be to unlock it for use on XT? What are the benefits of "jailbreaking"? Just trying to get my head around all the terminology...

Technofreak

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#352109 15-Jul-2010 21:24

I would take a close look at the likes of the Nokia 5800XM or the Nokia X6. I have a 5800XM which I bought from the US since they have the same frequencies we need for the XT network. I just plugged my Telecom Sim card in and it worked right out of the box. Before putting it to serious use I did update to the latest firmware which was easy to do.

The X6 is a later version of the 5800 with the capacitive touch screen. The 5800 has the resistive touch screen, both types of screen have their advantages.

What do I like about the Nokia 5800 beside it being an excellent mobile phone?
It has the Nokia menu system which I like and is generally easy to use.
There are plenty of applications for the Symbian operating system that Nokia uses, things like Skype, Quick Office, Opera Mobile, Sports Tracker (if you're into sporting activities like running biking, tramping etc) SPB shell (if you want to customose the screen interface) and many many more.
You can expand the memory by at least 16GB, using micro SD cards.
The excellent music player.
The good camera (it can do video calling, it has a front facing camera in addition to the normal one)
The Nokia (Ovi) maps app is excellent and doesn't require you to be online while it is in use. (No big data bills)
It can be used as a mass storage device.

In short I think over all it is as good as or better than the iPhone especially since the iPhone does not have removable storage, you cannot change the battery (Some people like to have a spare battery in case they run the battery down and don't have access to a charger during the day), and you cannot use the iPhone as a mass storage device. Also the iPhone is much dearer and does not have the same range of apps available unless you "jailbreak" it.

I don't use Google calendar but I understand that the Nokias synch with Google calendar.

I have heard good things about Android, but a friend commented recently that he was unhappy with the number of apps available for Android and was considering another operating system for his next phone.

Also some phones don't have a standard headphone jack, this is important to me. One phone I had previously had a unique multi puropse jack for the USB connection, charging and headphone. This can be a pain if you want use use a standard headphone and also means that you cannot charge the phone and listen to music at the same time.

I guess it comes down to what functions and applications you find are important.

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JMoore

13 posts

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#352119 15-Jul-2010 21:37

Do the Nokia 5800ssold here by Vodafone (and on TradeMe) only have 900MHz capacity?

Technofreak

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#352124 15-Jul-2010 21:47

The Vodafone ones are only 900. You will find some on TradeMe with 850, also have a look using Pricespy and you will find some importers with Telecom XT compatable models. Make sure that they are supplying the correct model if you buy from TradeMe or any NZ supplier. There was someone on TradeMe selling via Australia who was doing the XT Nokia 5800.

I bought mine from the US at quite a good price but wasn't straight forward. Let me know if you want more details on this avenue.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

JMoore

13 posts

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#352678 17-Jul-2010 14:38

Yea would be interested in having a look at this even if just to gauge a price. Thanks in advance.

Technofreak

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#354077 20-Jul-2010 17:54

Did you get my email a couple of days ago? It was sent via the link on your post.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5